Joe C Mathew

Stories by Joe C Mathew

Viagra can save lives too!

Viagra can save lives too!

Rediff.com   6 Apr 2007

Pfizer's blockbuster drug Viagra (sildenafil citrate), hitherto approved for use in treatment of erectile dysfunction, may soon acquire a new identity as a "life saving drug" in treating pulmonary arterial hypertension in children.

Patent board to hear Novartis' Gleevac case

Patent board to hear Novartis' Gleevac case

Rediff.com   5 Apr 2007

The venue of the battle by Swiss multinational Novartis AG against the rejection of its patent application for blockbuster cancer drug Gleevac will now shift to the Patent Appellate Board's office.

How safe are Indian herbal medicines?

How safe are Indian herbal medicines?

Rediff.com   2 Apr 2007

Australia has joined the UK, USA and Canada in warning its citizens against using unapproved traditional medicines from India and China.

India bracing for avian attack

India bracing for avian attack

Rediff.com   27 Mar 2007

Hetero is the only Indian partner of multinational drug major Roche Scientific for the manufacture and supply of the latter's patented drug, Tamilflu in developing countries.

Merck to roll out money-spinning drugs soon

Merck to roll out money-spinning drugs soon

Rediff.com   19 Mar 2007

Merck is all set to introduce three of its money-spinning drugs - Cosopt, Invanz and Pneuvax in India.

Drug price hike: Govt to take action

Drug price hike: Govt to take action

Rediff.com   16 Mar 2007

Pharmaceutical companies which increase prices of their medicines beyond 10 per cent in a year will face regulatory action.

Pharma firms bent rules to hike prices: Study

Pharma firms bent rules to hike prices: Study

Rediff.com   15 Mar 2007

The resultant price increase was the cause of a surprise upward variation in the "drug and medicines" segment of the weekly wholesale price index of the ministry of commerce and Industry last week, it is learnt.

Reddy's, Ranbaxy not to go all out for Merck

Reddy's, Ranbaxy not to go all out for Merck

Rediff.com   12 Mar 2007

With the bidding for the generics business of Merck set to begin from Monday, domestic pharmaceutical companies in the fray, Ranbaxy Laboratories and Dr Reddy's Laboratories, are unlikely to go for an all-out bidding war.

Patent law report withdrawn

Patent law report withdrawn

Rediff.com   22 Feb 2007

The decision has come in the wake of allegations of plagiarism against the Mashelkar panel report.

Cipla launches global anti-malaria initiative

Cipla launches global anti-malaria initiative

Rediff.com   16 Feb 2007

"The product technology is coming from DNDi. Cipla will manufacture and make the product available in southeast Asia and other parts of the world at affordable pre-agreed prices," Amar Lulla, joint managing director, Cipla, said.

Agitation against Novartis strengthens

Agitation against Novartis strengthens

Rediff.com   15 Feb 2007

The international health organisations, protesting against Swiss pharmaceutical major Novartis AG's legal challenge to provisions of the Indian Patent Act

Drug exports to Africa fall

Drug exports to Africa fall

Rediff.com   15 Feb 2007

Even as the domestic pharmaceutical industry is exploring new markets in Latin America and the Commonwealth of Independent States, exports to countries in Africa are declining.

Ranbaxy on an acquisition spree

Ranbaxy on an acquisition spree

Rediff.com   12 Feb 2007

Having cut eight deals last year, the $1.3 billion pharma major Ranbaxy probably has the sharpest negotiating skills in the business.

Health, beauty advertisements in jeopardy

Health, beauty advertisements in jeopardy

Rediff.com   27 Jan 2007

Ministry to amend Act to bring all oral, skin and hair care products under its purview.

Patent row: Ranbaxy takes on IPA

Patent row: Ranbaxy takes on IPA

Rediff.com   22 Jan 2007

Ranbaxy Laboratories, the biggest member of the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance, has come out in the open against the alliance's stand on patent issues.

Mashelkar's view on wider patentability flayed

Mashelkar's view on wider patentability flayed

Rediff.com   16 Jan 2007

The Mashelkar panel's recommendation to consider all modifications and variants of new chemical entities (NCEs) as patentable has invited criticism from sections of Indian pharmaceutical industry and public interest organisations

Patent tieup draws flak from NGOs

Patent tieup draws flak from NGOs

Rediff.com   15 Jan 2007

The domestic pharmaceutical industry and non-government organisations are up in arms against the first ever Indo-US tie-up on intellectual property rights

Drug cos approach Cabinet secy, want say in policy

Drug cos approach Cabinet secy, want say in policy

Rediff.com   11 Jan 2007

Under the banner of the CII, domestic drug majors have approached Cabinet Secretary BK Chaturvedi for being allowed to present their views on the new pharmaceutical policy, scheduled to be discussed by the Union Cabinet on Thursday.

Healthcare, India Inc's latest fad

Healthcare, India Inc's latest fad

Rediff.com   10 Jan 2007

The corporate healthcare segment may replicate the success of the Indian IT sector, say experts.

Panacea eyes Latin America

Panacea eyes Latin America

Rediff.com   8 Jan 2007

Panacea Biotec is planning to launch its organ transplantation drugs to Latin American and South East Asian markets.